Memento Mori is an episode that will certainly tug at your heartstrings. Right off, we see a touching teaser that features a voice-over by Gillian Anderson. There are lots of voice-overs by Gillian Anderson in this episode, and they help to express the emotion that is present. What gets me right away is Mulder's concern for Scully, and his refusal to accept what has happened to her. He'll go to any length to find out what's really wrong with her. And Skinner is right there with Mulder. He refuses to allow Mulder to deal with the Cigarette Smoking Man. He then essentially "sells his soul to the Devil" in order to get a cure for Scully. This will pay out in a later episode. Another thing that makes this episode great is that the Lone Gunmen are in it and they get to do some action on the outside, helping Mulder break into a building. This episode features an interesting deleted scene with Scully's brother Bill, where he berates her for the choices she's made. The make-up for Scully after she's received some chemotherapy is very good. She looks so beaten. The strong emotion is what carries this episode, and makes it one of the finest of season four.
12 Reviews
Some of the best acting from Gillian Anderson
SleepTight66619 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Like i've said before, i'm not a big fan of the cloning storyline and that is really the only part of the episode that I didn't enjoy much. But it honestly didn't bother me as much as on other episodes.
I liked the fact that they had Scully's ova's. That will explain Season 5's deal with Emily. I also liked to see The Lone Gunmen again. it's always nice when they make an appearance.
My obviously favorite part of the episode was Scully's. Some of the best acting from Gillian Anderson occurred in this episode. The throughout emotional scenes with her kept on coming. From beautifully shot intro to the scene where she explained to Mulder that she was certain about her cancer. Also, her scenes with her mother and with her dying friend were very emotional. I just wish that they could have kept in the scene with her brother, which was probably the best scene of the episode. I would have rated this episode higher if they had kept it.
Another thing I liked was how good of a man Skinner turned out to be. He sold his soul to the Devil and didn't want any credit for it. Now if that's not a great friend then I don't know what is.
FOUR stars.
I liked the fact that they had Scully's ova's. That will explain Season 5's deal with Emily. I also liked to see The Lone Gunmen again. it's always nice when they make an appearance.
My obviously favorite part of the episode was Scully's. Some of the best acting from Gillian Anderson occurred in this episode. The throughout emotional scenes with her kept on coming. From beautifully shot intro to the scene where she explained to Mulder that she was certain about her cancer. Also, her scenes with her mother and with her dying friend were very emotional. I just wish that they could have kept in the scene with her brother, which was probably the best scene of the episode. I would have rated this episode higher if they had kept it.
Another thing I liked was how good of a man Skinner turned out to be. He sold his soul to the Devil and didn't want any credit for it. Now if that's not a great friend then I don't know what is.
FOUR stars.
Emmy nominated! 1997
neoren9991 May 2007
Emmy-nominated "Memento Mori" (4.14, 1997) (co-written by Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz, Vince Gilligan and John Shiban) This highly dramatic episode opens with an angst filled prologue by Agent Dana Scully. Her battle against this mysterious "cancer" is described in many emotional vignettes throughout the episode. Mulder's nonacceptance of the possibility of Scully dying is the driving force, because he'll basically go to any length to find out what's really wrong with her. The Ciggarrette Smoking man is here for the ride and Mulder is desperately trying to get information from him with the aid of Skinner. Here to help Mulder in the tight situations are the Lone Gunmen who provide a few lighter moments. Mulder has to make an extremely shady deal to acquire the cure for Scully. Her mother and brother are present for her support and their frustration with the situation is apparent, especially her brothers ideas of Mulder. Scully is a mere shell of herself towards the end of the episode, which the viewer can sympathize with. A great episode, not to miss.
Remember you will die
koalablue_199321 October 2008
Memento Mori probably is my all time favorite mythology episode. Scully is finally diagnosed with cancer. Gillian Anderson's performance in this episode was amazing, this episode will tug at your heart strings. Anderson's emotional force and touching facial expressions work the best here. David Duchovny was terrific too. The Scully centered episodes always tend to be the best ones, eg: "Beyond the Sea" but Duchovny really holds this episode together like he did on season two's "One Breath". The Lone Gunmen also make an appearance, trying to help Mulder find a cure for Scully. "Memento Mori" is as good as the series gets: there is action, humor, emotion, tragedy, all thrown in to the mix. This episode is as personal as it gets. It is truly the best piece of "X-Files" mythology out there.
Scully is diagnosed with a nasopharyngeal tumor that is linked to her abduction experience from season 2.
bionicoddity20 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A better, but more spoiler-y summary: Scully is diagnosed with a nasopharyngeal tumor that is linked to her abduction experience from season two. Mulder and Scully take separate paths in finding answers to the situation. Mulder encounters human-alien hybrid clones that are attempting to save their "mothers'" lives. Scully meets Penny Northern again, only this time Penny is the only surviving member of the MUFON group of women who where abducted along with Scully. Penny is dying of cancer and through their shared experience, Scully and Penny form a strong friendship. The hybrid clones show Mulder Scully's stored ova, which he pockets, and Mulder finds out that Scully's doctor is not who he seems. He warns Scully and she in turn decides to return to work in order to help Mulder find the truth and find answers for herself.
This is one of my favorite episodes in the series. The story itself gives us more answers, and of course more questions about the reasons for Scully's abduction. It also adds to the general mythology of the series by adding the human-alien hybrids to the mix. Yet, the heart of the episode is, uncharacteristically, not Mulder's quest. This time it is Scully's quest for answers, strength, and a purpose. She has the choice to give up and at times her voice-overs seem to be preparing the viewer for just such a thing. But Scully is as tough and stubborn as always even in the face of an inoperable tumor.
Mulder's scenes serve more to enhance our understanding of Scully's predicament, though they do further his search for the truth. Still, it is quite obvious that the important issue in place now is Mulder's search for Scully's truth and possibly a way in which to save her life.
This is one of my favorite episodes in the series. The story itself gives us more answers, and of course more questions about the reasons for Scully's abduction. It also adds to the general mythology of the series by adding the human-alien hybrids to the mix. Yet, the heart of the episode is, uncharacteristically, not Mulder's quest. This time it is Scully's quest for answers, strength, and a purpose. She has the choice to give up and at times her voice-overs seem to be preparing the viewer for just such a thing. But Scully is as tough and stubborn as always even in the face of an inoperable tumor.
Mulder's scenes serve more to enhance our understanding of Scully's predicament, though they do further his search for the truth. Still, it is quite obvious that the important issue in place now is Mulder's search for Scully's truth and possibly a way in which to save her life.
The truth will save you Scully. I think it'll save both of us.
Sanpaco1324 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Memento Mori is one of my favorite episodes and is among the better mythology episodes. In this episode we find out for certain that Scully has cancer. It has been hinted and teased at for the past few seasons and finally confirmed. We learn some very important things about the mythology in this episode although if you don't pay attention a lot of it may fly right over your head. I know I still have that problem sometimes. We learn that Scully's cancer is caused by the alien DNA causing genetic mutations in her body. Most likely this is what the implant was meant to stop at least in part and when it was removed the alien DNA was free to work its evil and cause cancer. This is why all the women who had the implants die the same way. We also learn that the women who were abducted are barren because their ova are taken from them in order to create alien/human hybrid clones which we met in the episode Herrenvolk. The little boys in that episode appear again in this one but now as man. These are the ones trying to help Mulder and fight against the conspiracy because they have found out what is happening to their mothers. Great episode with a lot of good explanation and many touching moments between Mulder and Scully and between Scully and her mom. I give it another 10 out of 10.
You'll need your box of hankies.
Sleepin_Dragon7 August 2022
We finally learn what's up with Scully, and the obvious question is answered, what exactly did Leonard Betts need from her.
Where do you even begin with this one, it has everything going on, it's action packed, dramatic, it's one that really does tug away at the heart strings, one thing it really does offer up though, is hope.
The Lone Gunmen, Cancer Man, Scully's mum, so many familiar faces keep on popping up. We also learn quite a lot about Skinner, and the lengths he's prepared to go to for Scully.
It is a tough watch, as it does deal with a horrid illness that affects to many lives, it's quite sensitively handled here.
Gillian Anderson, I think that's perhaps the best performance I've seen from her so far, she was breathtaking here. I loved her voice overs, I found them so meaningful.
Awesome episode, 10/10.
Where do you even begin with this one, it has everything going on, it's action packed, dramatic, it's one that really does tug away at the heart strings, one thing it really does offer up though, is hope.
The Lone Gunmen, Cancer Man, Scully's mum, so many familiar faces keep on popping up. We also learn quite a lot about Skinner, and the lengths he's prepared to go to for Scully.
It is a tough watch, as it does deal with a horrid illness that affects to many lives, it's quite sensitively handled here.
Gillian Anderson, I think that's perhaps the best performance I've seen from her so far, she was breathtaking here. I loved her voice overs, I found them so meaningful.
Awesome episode, 10/10.
"...right now, the truth is in me."
classicsoncall26 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny give truly heart rending performances in this episode, which further explores Scully's inoperable and difficult to treat, cancerous tumor. Anderson's voice over throughout the story is one of existential insight preparing herself and the viewer for the worst, though it won't stop her partner from pulling out all stops to find a cure.
The story gets rather cryptic when the Lone Gunmen join Mulder to infiltrate the Lombard Research Facility, looking for answers to what caused the deaths of women who, like Scully, suffered abduction experiences and developed cancer after strange metallic implants were removed from their bodies. We learn here that the aquatic hybrid tanks from a prior season have been relocated to Lombard and the project continues under the watchful eyes of male hybrids. But they're not there because they believe in the project, but to protect their 'mothers', women like Scully who have had reproductive material removed from their bodies during their abductions.
With so many twists and turns in the mythology arc of the series, it's now becoming really difficult to keep things straight story wise, and you have to commend the writers for keeping things on track. Though things look rather dire for Scully because of her illness, her resolve in coming to terms with the cancer and determination to beat it brings the close of this episode to a positive conclusion.
The story gets rather cryptic when the Lone Gunmen join Mulder to infiltrate the Lombard Research Facility, looking for answers to what caused the deaths of women who, like Scully, suffered abduction experiences and developed cancer after strange metallic implants were removed from their bodies. We learn here that the aquatic hybrid tanks from a prior season have been relocated to Lombard and the project continues under the watchful eyes of male hybrids. But they're not there because they believe in the project, but to protect their 'mothers', women like Scully who have had reproductive material removed from their bodies during their abductions.
With so many twists and turns in the mythology arc of the series, it's now becoming really difficult to keep things straight story wise, and you have to commend the writers for keeping things on track. Though things look rather dire for Scully because of her illness, her resolve in coming to terms with the cancer and determination to beat it brings the close of this episode to a positive conclusion.
CSM: Oh Skinner, where's the elevator?
bombersflyup15 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Memento Mori is about Scully coming to terms with her inoperable cancer.
An engaging, weighty and poignant episode, where our beloved character Scully's life's under threat and where turning to the enemy for help's an option. In this case it's Skinner, who won't let Mulder sell his soul to the devil, but does the deed himself. Cleaner version 2.0 or "Grey Haired Man" makes an another appearance. Negatively, Dr. Scanlon seemed too nice to be guilty of such things and I don't care for the clones involvement.
An engaging, weighty and poignant episode, where our beloved character Scully's life's under threat and where turning to the enemy for help's an option. In this case it's Skinner, who won't let Mulder sell his soul to the devil, but does the deed himself. Cleaner version 2.0 or "Grey Haired Man" makes an another appearance. Negatively, Dr. Scanlon seemed too nice to be guilty of such things and I don't care for the clones involvement.
Memento Mori
lassegalsgaard19 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The trouble with these kind of shows is that the events of the "monster-of-the-week" episodes can often contradict or misrepresent what is going on the series as a whole. That is a threat that has been lurking under the surface for this show, but they have managed to make good use of both of these ideas and not gotten into much trouble with the direction of the show. A trick is to keep moving the pieces forward all the time, and it seems like this show is doing everything it can to make Scully's cancer journey undeniable. It's not something that will follow her forever (as the show did run for many seasons after this), but it will have an impact on her. And it's nice seeing all the writers coming together to form an episode that will ultimately shape the remainder of the show going forward, with her struggle being pretty undeniable right now. And this episode does provide some of the most emotional storytelling that we've had so far with this show, often going the emotional route and managing to beautifully splice together two different storylines that all have the same purpose and leads to an incredible episode finale; a definite series best.
I've always liked shows where protagonists who fight against the supernatural all the time are taken down by something ordinary and human. As a character who doesn't believe in a lot of supernatural elements, it feels right that Scully would be the one going through this, despite the audience's obvious disdain towards it. It certainly brings these characters to the most desperate place they've been throughout the whole show and it feels right in a very morbid way. It's cool that they're taking this chance and it provides some wonderfully honest and emotionally resonant scenes between the show's two leads.
The episode doesn't really feature any antagonist in the form of a sentient being - with the exception of a persistent assassin - and it feels like time itself is the real enemy. There is a ticking clock idea going on throughout and mostly with Mulder's subplot which is both tense, yet also entertaining because of the show's use of the Lone Gunmen. And what that story leads to is another interesting addition to the mythology and a very cool opportunity to take into use in future seasons, if the writers want to take Scully there. If not, it's a cruel tease.
The performances of both leads have been at a series high during this season, with David Duchovny really proving his dramatic skills. However, Gillian Anderson is also upping her game significantly and gives a passionate speech at the end about how she will fight the disease on her own terms, which brought tears to my eyes. These two work best when they bring out the best in each other, and this season has fully utilized the characters as great oppositions, but has been even better at using their sensibilities as partners and knowing how to be the best of themselves.
"Memento Mori" is truly a reminder that none of us are mortal, and it's nice to see the show doing that in a realistic way. This sets a tone for the rest of the season, and it's difficult to see them keep up with that, but in the end, there is a chance of pure greatness coming.
I've always liked shows where protagonists who fight against the supernatural all the time are taken down by something ordinary and human. As a character who doesn't believe in a lot of supernatural elements, it feels right that Scully would be the one going through this, despite the audience's obvious disdain towards it. It certainly brings these characters to the most desperate place they've been throughout the whole show and it feels right in a very morbid way. It's cool that they're taking this chance and it provides some wonderfully honest and emotionally resonant scenes between the show's two leads.
The episode doesn't really feature any antagonist in the form of a sentient being - with the exception of a persistent assassin - and it feels like time itself is the real enemy. There is a ticking clock idea going on throughout and mostly with Mulder's subplot which is both tense, yet also entertaining because of the show's use of the Lone Gunmen. And what that story leads to is another interesting addition to the mythology and a very cool opportunity to take into use in future seasons, if the writers want to take Scully there. If not, it's a cruel tease.
The performances of both leads have been at a series high during this season, with David Duchovny really proving his dramatic skills. However, Gillian Anderson is also upping her game significantly and gives a passionate speech at the end about how she will fight the disease on her own terms, which brought tears to my eyes. These two work best when they bring out the best in each other, and this season has fully utilized the characters as great oppositions, but has been even better at using their sensibilities as partners and knowing how to be the best of themselves.
"Memento Mori" is truly a reminder that none of us are mortal, and it's nice to see the show doing that in a realistic way. This sets a tone for the rest of the season, and it's difficult to see them keep up with that, but in the end, there is a chance of pure greatness coming.
If you're in a good mood, skip this one.
jamericanbeauty15 June 2021
This episode was depressing. Agent Scully's narration was dreadful. Remember Season 2's Dod Kalm episode when Mulder and Scully were aging on a submarine that was sucking the youth and life out of them? Scully's narration drained the joy and energy out of me then and she did it again during this episode. Her narration is the pits.
The cancer man speads his cancer
devonbrown-9064930 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Mulder and scully get desperate as scully now sees her cancer looming over her. Mulder refuses to beileuve there is no treatment and Scully goes for traditional scientific treatment and makes a great friend in the process.
Mulder does find out the scullys genetic material is used to make clones whilst digging deeper into the MUFCON origins. These clones are trying to save their mother whilst being hunted by the secret cabal hitmen.
Mulder doe his best to find the cure but is unable too whilst but figures out the doctors treating scully is just y her death. Whilst scully decides she is going to work to her last breath.
A great episode with a weak ending. Scully is going through a lot and a lot of it is edited out. In favour of mulder breaking into a lab to find more secrets of the human hybrid programme. Would love too see when and if mulder finds a cure and if cancer man complies and uses that leverage over skinner and co.
Mulder does find out the scullys genetic material is used to make clones whilst digging deeper into the MUFCON origins. These clones are trying to save their mother whilst being hunted by the secret cabal hitmen.
Mulder doe his best to find the cure but is unable too whilst but figures out the doctors treating scully is just y her death. Whilst scully decides she is going to work to her last breath.
A great episode with a weak ending. Scully is going through a lot and a lot of it is edited out. In favour of mulder breaking into a lab to find more secrets of the human hybrid programme. Would love too see when and if mulder finds a cure and if cancer man complies and uses that leverage over skinner and co.
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